Page 86 of Boarded Hearts

I’ve barely looked up at Felicity. She can probably already tell something’s not right, but I can’t tell her. I trust her implicitly, but this is Zach’s business to tell, and I’ve let him down way too many times already to risk his confidence, our friendship already hanging by a thread.

“Get out there, Morgan, and for fuck’s sake, get it together.”

I replace my mouthguard and jump the boards. “Got it, Coach.”

The small Scorpions away crowd cheers as I take back to the ice. I pick up a loose puck from behind our net and begin an offensive move. It's a rare turnover and I’m determined to make something of it. I sell their center with a fake pass and slip it to Jessie instead, who’s flying down my right-hand side. He takes the puck and sinks it with a wrist shot. The buzzer goes and we’ve pulled something back. I look up to see Felicity going wild, pumping her fist in the air and a wry smile pulls at my lips.

Five minutes to go and we’re playing better, but Schneider is out for blood. He’s checked three of our players in this period alone and earned himself a penalty. He contests it with the ref, but he’s having none of it. The small section of Scorpions fans cheer as he makes his way to his second home. It’s then I see Zach skate past the penalty box, turn his head, tap the glass, and say something. Schneider is on his feet banging his stick and screaming, but Zach simply waves and smiles, only riling him up further. I’ve played with and against Schneider for years and he’s a piece of work, but I’ve never seen him look like this. He’s unhinged.

“Let’s get this finished,” Zach says to me as he skates past, getting in position for the restart of play.

It’s three-two by the time Schneider returns to the ice. His eyes zeroed in on my best friend. The game has descended into chaos as the tension between them both has infiltrated the other players. There are only three minutes left on the clock, but barely any hockey is being played. The crowd feeds into the fighting frenzy, loving the brutality on display.

I chance a glance up at Felicity, who has her head down and buried in her hands. She can’t watch, and I hate this for her. I hate myself for not taking Zach off the ice tonight, too.

The puck comes loose from a tussle against the boards and Jessie breaks with it. He’s so quick there’s no way I’ll catch up to him, but he doesn’t get far as he’s checked by one of their defensemen who sends it back up for a counter.

His pass to Schneider is loose, and he narrowly misses it as it sails past him and toward Zach, who picks it up in the far corner.

And that’s when it happens. Like it’s in slow motion, unfolding right before me, and all I can do is stand and watch. Schneider sets his eyes on Zach as he gathers it under control and begins to turn, opening up his body to lay off a pass. The puck leaves Zach’s stick, but Schneider isn’t interested in the offensive. He’s only got one form of attack on his mind.

He collides with his body just as I see Zach’s helmet turn and register the onslaught, but it’s too late. He wasn’t prepared. Normally he’d be expecting a potential check but not tonight, not with the way he’s been MIA in this match.

On impact, Zach’s body snaps backward, his head the first to make contact with the boards, but it’s not the crack of the splintering glass I hear. It’s the kind of crack only bones can make, and I swear that’s all I can hear even over the roaring crowd.It’s the hardest hit I’ve ever seen in my career.

Zach lies crumpled on the ice, the force of the hit having sent his helmet flying from his head, his stick is lying several feet from his lifeless body.

Registering the seriousness of the situation, the crowd falls silent, but Schneider continues to rage on.“Fuck you, Evans!” he spits, as his captain drags him away and the ref rushes to intervene when three of our players, Jensen included, begin beating down on Schneider.

A few beats pass and my instincts take over, my adrenaline finally surging me forward. I know I’m screaming, but I can’t hear anything other than the ringing in my ears as it grows louder. I know my pads are soaking through as I kneel next to my best friend. I see the doctors rushing around him, checking his state of consciousness. I recognize that his right leg shouldn’t be at that angle, and I register the blood beginning to pour from his face and over his jersey, staining his number sixty-six.

But all I can think at this moment is this is all my fault.

This is all on me, and I’ll never forgive myself.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

JON

“It’s too early to say anything at this stage,” the neurosurgeon treating Zach confirms. “We’re currently scanning Mr. Evans to ascertain if he has a fracture or dislocation of the cervical vertebrae; a spinal concussion is also possible, and we of course hope for the latter. As soon as we know more, we will be informing his medical team and family. I can confirm that Mr. Evans has two broken ribs, a fractured tibia, several deep lacerations to his face, and a broken jaw.”

My phone buzzes in the back pocket of my pants but I ignore it. I can’t think of anything other than my best friend right now.

Coach turns to me. “Head back to the hotel, Morgan. There’s nothing more you can do. I’ll call you when I hear from the medical team.”

I shake my head. “I’m staying right here.” There’s no way he would leave me. He never has.Zach’s words at practice earlier repeat in my head. “I’ve always been there for you, man, and where were you when I needed you?”

Walking into the restrooms, I lean my hands on the counter. My thoughts are spiraling out of control and for all the therapy I’ve had over the years, I’ve always had Zach to lean on, support me, and tell me it’ll be okay. But now that person thinks I’ve let him down, that I’m not worth his time, and you know what? From his position in a hospital bed, I’d say he’s probably right.

“Fuck!” I twist my fist and punch the paper towel dispenser over and over until my knuckles are bleeding and raw, the physical pain providing a brief distraction from the mental anguish.

My phone buzzes again and this time I check it.

Angel

I’m still at the stadium with Jensen’s mum and dad, but I’m heading back to the hotel soon. I’m praying Zach is okay and please, baby, let me know you are too.

I go to pocket my phone but figure she won’t stop until she hears from me. Right now, I just need to be away from her. She can’t see me like this.

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